Elma Jeanette Hueftle

1935 - 2016

Elma Jeanette Hueftle obituary, 1935-2016

BORN

1935

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Alexander Funeral Home-East Chapel

2115 Lincoln Ave

Evansville, Indiana

Elma Hueftle Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 29, 2016.

On Sunday, November 27, 2016, Elma Hueftle passed out of this life into our Life with Christ Jesus.

Elma was born April 27, 1935, in Dundee Scotland, the only child of John and Janet (Balharrie) Russell. Her father was a weaving mill manager; her mother a surgical nurse. During WWII bombings, Elma and her mother were evacuated from the city to rural areas.

As a student at the local Morgan Academy, Elma was blinded in a field hockey accident and home-schooled for a year during which she heard on radio the heart-changing Passion play by Dorothy L. Sayers and believed the good news of Christ Jesus. Her pastor had seen the promise in Elma and had early on engaged her with the Iona Community and the summer youth camps on the Island of Iona.

When she graduated from St. Andrews University with a degree in Logic and Metaphysics, she moved to the more exciting city of Edinburgh, first to teach second grade in a small coal-mining village nearby, then work as a probation officer. With her in Edinburgh, the pastor prompted her to go help the Old Kirk, a pastorate in a tough neighborhood (where she eventually met Keith Hueftle, an American minister assigned there by the Iona Community).

Marrying, they came to America: to a Detroit inter-racial pastorate, to the Detroit Riots of '67, to marching with Martin Luther King (in Detroit as well as in DC). Their house was home to interracial leadership, friends, and summer youth teams.

All three children were born in Detroit. Mothering and the training of mothers quickly became Elma's "career": leadership in a young mothers' co-op, and organizing immense parenting conferences. Then, as the children grew, she taught French, Shakespeare and Business English at the YMCA. With Keith, she became involved in leadership in the Cursillo movement, there and upon moving to southern Indiana.

In New Harmony, Elma worked with the Weaving Studio, the bookstore, and as "chef" for the Barn Abbey (Keith's ministry). She began a pre-school with friends, which continued on with their move to Evansville. In Evansville, she was invited to be a MOPS mentor for pre-school moms, a role she played for 18 years.

In all this, Elma has been primarily "Mom." Of all her many mini-vocations, mothering has been the greatest call on her life.

Elma is survived by her husband, O. Keith Hueftle; son, Ben (Amy) Hueftle; daughter, Jennifer (Larry) Reagan; son, Jonathan (Dana) Hueftle; and grandchildren, Conner, Ryan, and Cameron Reagan and Jonathan Caleb, Emily, Alec, and Samuel Hueftle.

Service will be at Alexander East Chapel, Saturday December 3, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be 9 a.m. until service time.

The family thanks SouthernCare Hospice and the fine care of Evansville Protestant Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Barnabas Ministries for the widow of Barnabas Ministries' recent director, Rod Murray. Please indicate on the memo line of the check: Murray Memorial. Send to 2810 West Franklin Street, Evansville 47712. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Elma Hueftle

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Not sure what to say?

December 7, 2016

Alistair Brown

I remember Elma as a classmate and friend during our time at Morgan Academy and I was very sad to learn of her death.

December 5, 2016

Jimmy Smith

It is always sad, indeed upsetting, to hear of contemporaries who have passed away. I didn't know Elma well, but with only a fortnight between birthdays, we attended Morgan Academy at the same time. That jolly photo of Elma as she was then, helps to recall happy days.

Posted by Jimmy Smith

December 4, 2016

Hugh McGrory

Keith and Family,
On behalf of Elma's many schoolmates who knew her as a teenager at Morgan Academy, Dundee, Scotland, I want to express our sorrow for your loss.

Elma was popular at school and she is still remembered with kindness and love.

Posted by Hugh McGrory

December 3, 2016

Jeanne

Mrs. Hueftle was an inspiration for all. I know she is enjoying a reward for a life well lived.

December 2, 2016

Dear Keith, Ben, Jennifer, and Jonathan,
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers as you celebrate Elma's life. She was always so wonderful to us and we thought the world of her. We're praying for your peace and comfort, and are sorry we can't be there Saturday to say this in person.
Keith and Libby (Miley) Wyatt

December 2, 2016

Alicia Nguyen

Dear Keith,
I am so sorry for the loss of Elma. She was such joy and a blessing and key mentor to me for the time surrounding the Germany trip. God's hand was there in putting us together in prayer and friendship and I am forever grateful.

December 2, 2016

Dan Caldwell

Keith, so sorry for your loss! You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers!

December 1, 2016

Tom & Jan Sharp

Keith, we are so sorry for your loss but excited for Elma.
You are in our prayers.

December 1, 2016

Maddy Overton

December 1, 2016

Jeary Flener

Keith and Family; please accept my deepest condolences upon the loss Elma. Even though she only touched my life briefly I cannot adequately express the impression she made upon my heart, mind and soul. From my perception she truly pursued Christ in his purest form with a servants heart full of love and joy. Her quick wit and graciousness were hallmarks of my memory and although she is no longer in our presence she will remain forever in our hearts and shall continue to bring a smile to my face, joy in my heart, and warmth in my soul.

November 30, 2016

I'm so sorry for ur loss, she was such an amazing women.
Sending u all kind thoughts for this moment Jodi moore

November 30, 2016

Ben, Amy, and family,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Dr. Roger Haywood and the staff at Evansville Eyecare Associates

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results

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Memorial Events
for Elma Hueftle

Dec

3

Visitation

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Alexander Funeral Home-East Chapel

2115 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714

Dec

3

Service

11:00 a.m.

Alexander Funeral Home-East Chapel

2115 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714

Funeral services provided by:

Alexander Funeral Home-East Chapel

2115 Lincoln Ave, Evansville, IN 47714

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